Rovito (2010) indicates that there are two very divergent mtDNA lineages within this species which correspond to the northern and southern parts of the range, with a break between the lineages occurring in the Mammoth Lake region of central Sierra Nevada.

This species can be found in High Sierra Nevada, California, USA, from Sonora Pass, Alpine County, to Franklin Pass area, Tulare County; low elevation records are from the south side of Yosemite Valley (Stebbins 1985). It has an isolated population at Smith Lake, Desolation Wilderness, El Dorado County. Its distribution might be more continuous than present records indicate. It can be found at an elevation of 1,220-3,660 m asl.

It can be found among Granite rock exposures, talus and rock fissures, near seepages from streams or melting snow, also in spray zone of waterfalls. Apparently it prefers north-facing slopes. It can also be found under rocks or in caves or crevices during daylight hours. It is a terrestrial breeder.